Residential Lease Agreement

California Residential Lease Agreement – Landlord & Tenant Protection

A lease agreement is the foundation of any landlord-tenant relationship. This document sets clear expectations about rent, deposits, house rules, pets, maintenance, and what happens if someone breaks the agreement. Without one, disputes can spiral into costly evictions or lost security deposits.

As a landlord, a written lease protects you — it documents the agreed rent, late fees, move-out notice periods, and your right to enter for repairs. As a tenant, a written lease protects you too — it locks in your rent terms and clarifies what repairs are the landlord’s responsibility. California law requires specific disclosures on rental agreements, such as lead-based paint disclosures for pre-1978 properties.

What a California residential lease includes:

• Landlord and tenant information
• Property address and unit description
• Monthly rent amount and due date
• Security deposit amount and conditions for return
• Term length (month-to-month or fixed lease)
• Utilities, pet policy, and parking arrangement
• Late fees and NSF charges
• Lead-based paint disclosure (if applicable)

LawvaForms creates your lease in about 15 minutes for $19. Both parties sign, keep copies, and expectations are clear from day one.

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Landlord Full Name *

Landlord Mailing Address *

Street, city, state, and ZIP

Property (Premises) Address *

Street, city, state, and ZIP

Number of Bedrooms *

Number of Bathrooms *

Tenant Full Name(s) *

List each tenant’s full name, one per line

Lease Start Date *

MM/DD/YYYY

Monthly Rent Amount ($) *

Rent Due Day *

Day of the month only (do not include “of each month”) – e.g. 1st or 15th

Security Deposit Amount ($) *

Enter 0 if none required

Furnishings *Premises is not furnishedPremises is furnished

Utilities Provided by Landlord

e.g. Water, Trash Removal. Leave blank if none.

Appliances Included

e.g. Stove, Refrigerator, Smoke Detectors

Pets Policy *Pets not allowed (except service/support animals)Pets allowed with Landlord approval

Parking *Landlord does not provide parkingLandlord provides parking

Late Fee Terms *

e.g. 5% of rent if more than 5 days late

NSF (Returned Payment) Fee Amount ($)

Was the property built before 1978? *NoYes

California and federal law require a Lead-Based Paint disclosure for pre-1978 housing.

Your Email Address *

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Agreement Date *

Date this lease is being signed – MM/DD/YYYY

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